Record bearing instrumentalities



June 5, 1962 A. H. DICKINSON RECORD BEARING INSTRUMENTALITIES OriginalFiled April 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l r WWW mmm N u M 0 m W Q A M 0 e WE w U R p m M .A Fll Coma/afar Campu/ing and Printing lmpu/se LOWVol/age Genera/or gg CONTROL C/RCU/TS Pick up Respanse Compare Respons eJune 5, 1962 A. H. DICKINSON RECORD BEARING INSTRUMENTALITIES 2Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,037,695 RECORD BEARINGINSTRUMENTALITIES Arthur H. Dickinson, Greenwich, Conn., assignor toInternational Business Machines Corporation, New

York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Original application Apr. 16,1954, Ser. No. 423,774, now Patent No. 2,936,112, dated May 10, 1960.Divided and this application Apr. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 731,737

3 Claims. (Cl. 235-61.12)

In the class of machine popularly known as business machines, cards areemployed upon which data are registered, usually by perforations placedat diflerent locations in the cards, the locations of the perforationsin the cards with respect to one or more of the edges of the card beingthe differentiating characteristic whereby the information registered onthe card may be utilized by the machine for accounting, computing,recording or other purposes. The conventional card as now employed insuch machines has the perforations arranged in columns parallel with theshort dimension of the card, the perforations in each column beingspaced from one of the longer edges of the card the proper distance forthe perforations to register the desired value. Perforated cards such asdescribed are also used in electronic computing machines so that,although the computations performed by such machines are relativelyinstantaneous, their capacity is limited by the rate at which the cardscan be fed through the machine.

, Cards capable of retaining magnetic recordings have also been used,the discrete magnetized areas being located at selected positions in thecolumns in the same manner as the perforations.

- In utilizing these cards in machines of the kind described, the cardsare fed continuously through the machine in a direction parallel withthe short dimension of the card past sensing coils which take account ofthe position of the perforation or magnetized area in the column withrespect to the card feed cycle, the elapsed time between the passage ofthe perforation or ma'gnetized area past the sensing coils and the endof that cycle constituting the factor which determines the number ofimpulses which are conveyed to the computing section of the machine.With such machines the capacity of the card is limited to the number ofcolumns which the card can contain. Ordinarily some of the columns areused for designating the nature of the numerical data recorded in theremaining columns of the card, so that the actual number of numericalvalues recorded on each card is slightly less than the number ofcolumns.

My pending application Serial No. 423,774, filed April 16, 1954 forMethod and Apparatus for Electronic Computing, now U.S. Patent No.2,936,112, issued May 10, 1960, discloses a new method of registeringnumerical values or other data on a card or other recording medium andusing such data in machines of the class described in such manner thateach separate record on the card, regardless of its position in thecolumn, constitutes a complete record of a predetermined value to be fedinto the computing section of the machine, whereby the capacity of thecard is not limited to the number of columns which may be provided on asingle card, but instead each card will have a capacity equal to thenumber of insignia which may be placed on the card sufiiciently spacedfrom each other to individually effect the operation of the sensingmechanism. Thus cards having eighty columns with twelve separatepositions in each column will have a capacity of recording twelve timeseighty separate values.

Otherwise stated, instead of the passage of each card effecting a singlecomplete operational cycle of the machine, such operation is effected bythe passage of a 3,037,695 Patented June 5, 1962 single row of insigniaon the card, and assuming the same speed of movement of the cardsthrough the machine, the work done by the machine in the same period ofoperation is increased twelve fold.

In the above designated application there were also described andclaimed certain new record bearing instrumentalities for use inconnection with the new method and apparatus, which instrumentalitiesare the subject matter of this application, and this application is adivision of said application Serial No. 423,774, Patent No. 2,936,112.The new record bearing instrumentalities herein described and claimedare also disclosed in my applications Serial No. 423,816, Patent No.2,779,147, filed April 16, 1954 and Serial No. 423,817, Patent No.2,774,979, filed April 16, 1954 directed to methods and apparatus formaking such instrumentalities.

The new method disclosed in application Serial No. 423,774, Patent No.2,936,112, may be carried out by an electronic computing machine whereinmagnetizable cards such as described in U.S. Patent No. 2,254,931 areemployed. Instead, however, of representing the recorded numericalvalues by the positions of the magnetized areas in the columns on thecards as described in said patent, each magnetized area in itselfrepresents a predetermined value regardless of its location on the card.These differently magnetized areas are produced by subjecting the cardin the recording apparatus to the action of recording heads wherein theimpressed voltage is caused to build up to a maximum during therecording operation at a difierent rate for each different numericalvalue or digit. As the cards are fed through the recording machine at auniform speed and as the total recording time is the same regardless ofthe rate of voltage increase, the magnetic recordings produced in thecards are difierent for each digit and effect different responses in thecomputing machine corresponding in value with the differences in therate of voltage increase.

My improved method of operation may also be employed with computingmachines wherein the recorded data are in the form of photographicallyproduced images difierin'g from each other in accordance with variationsin the rate of change in the quantity of the light impinging on a lightsensitive pick up cell, as will be later described.

My novel method of representing diflerent values for recording purposesby recording such values by symbols capable of generating responsiveforces at ditferent rates of increasing intensity may also be employedby photographic means. That is to say, photographic images may beproduced on a film or other suitable record from which a responsive ofincreasing light intensity varying in rate of increase is employed toproduce correspondingly different responses in a photo electric cell,and I have disclosed herein a method of utilizing such images in anelectronic computing machine of the character referred to above.

My invention will be understood from the following description andaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a card with magnetic recordings indicated byoutlines illustrating the envelopes of the impressed voltages;

FIG. 2 similarly illustrates the magnetic recordings for each digit onan enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the various sections of a computingmachine as modified to operate in accordance with my improved method;

FIG. 4 is a length of film showing photographic recordings such asemployed in the modified procedure above referred to;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the optical system employed for generatingfrom the images on the film diffen 3 entially increasing voltages in thepick up circuits of the computing machine; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 show details of the system.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the card feed which continuouslyfeeds the cards past the two rows of sensing heads 2 and 3,respectively. The sensing heads are connected to the analyzer section ofthe computing machine which has one or more complete group of analyzinginstrumentalities for each column on the card. There is also in theanalyzing section for each column on the card a high voltage trigger forcontrolling the gate through which the successive impulses measuring thedigit recorded on the card are transmitted to the computing and printingsections of the machine. The machine has also the usual impulsegenerator and commutator for making available a predetermined number ofimpulses for each recording cycle or machine point. The details of oneform of the apparatus are completely described in US. Patent 2,936,112,and since they are not pertinent to the present invention will not befurther shown or described in this case.

In my application Serial No. 423,816, filed April 16, 1954 there isdisclosed a machine for making on the cards the magnetic recordings usedin carrying out my improved method. Such magnetic recordings are madesimultaneously in all the columns of the card where data are recorded,the recording interval being maintained uniform and also the speed ofmovement of the card, so that the dimension of the magnetized area ofthe card is in a line with the direction of movement of the card, thatis, the short dimension of the card, is always the same. The voltageimpressed on the recording heads is increased from zero to maximum at adifferent rate for each digit recorded. Thus, in FIG. 2 the periodwherein an increasing voltage is impressed on the recording heads isrepresented by the portion of the symbol wherein the transversedimension of the symbol is increased at different rates. Hence when therate of increase in voltage is the smallest, as for the digit the timerequired for the voltage to be built up to the desired maximum is thelongest. With each succeeding digit the period of increasing voltage isshorter and the period of maximum impressed voltage is longer. FIG. 1illustrates a record card having a plurality of markings as shown inFIG. 2.

One upper coil and one lower coil are usually provided for each columnof the card so that the number of columns for the recordings designatingthe grouping, etc. and the number of columns containing the recordingsof the numerical values to be applied to totals previously accumulatedin the machine may be modified by varying the connections of the sensingcoils to the comparing and computing sections of the machine. Several ofthe sensing coils in both rows are utilized for sensing the recordingsdesignating the grouping. These recordings in the usual manner determinethe disposition to be made of the recorded numerical values. Forexample, if the digits representing the grouping on the card being fedpast the upper sensing coils are the same as the digits representing thegrouping on the preceding card, which is sensed at the same time by thelower coils, the numerical values transmitted to the computing sectionby the sensing coils in the second row will be applied to the previouslyaccumulated totals. If, however, the grouping is not the same on the twocards, the card feed will be stopped when the final row on the firstcard has been sensed and the printing mechanism will be energized toprint the accumulated totals and reset the computing instrumentalitiesof the columns printed at zero.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two rows of sensing coils are separated by adistance equal to the width of the card plus the distance between twocards so that the same rows in the two cards will be simultaneouslysensed by the coils in the two rows respectively. This positioning ofthe sensing coils is the same as in the IBM machines above mentioned,using perforated cards, and is required in those machines so that allthe digits in the columns of the second card representing the groupingwill be sensed and transmitted to the comparing instrumentalities of themachine a sufficient time before the perforations representing numericalvalues to be transmitted to the register orders reach the sensing coilsof the second row, to allow for a total print operation in case therecordings on the second card representing the grouping are differentfrom those on the first card.

In carrying out my new method of operation I may use the same groupingresponse to which end the data will be so recorded on the cards thatthere will be no change in the recordings representing the grouping onany one card. That is to say, whenever in the preparation of the cards,as, for example, in the machine disclosed in my copending applicationabove referred to, a change in the recordings indicating the grouping isrequired, no further recordings will be made on the card in the machinebut that card will be taken out of the machine and a new card broughtinto position. Hence, in preparing the cards the operator may, ifdesired, make the recordings indicating the groupings merely in thebottom row of recordings on the card.

Instead of using the above-described instrurnentalities of priormachines I may in carrying out my new method of operation provide for acomparison between the recordings in two successive rows of the samecard or other media, for example, a continuous film such as illustratedin FIG. 6 of the drawings. In such case the spacing of the rows ofsensing coils, the spacing of the recordings on the card, film or othermedium, and the rate of movement of the medium bearing the recordingpast the sensing coils are so coordinated that the time between the pickup by the coils connected with the comparing instrumentalities and thepick up by the coils for sensing the recorded numerical values to betransmitted to the register orders is suflicient for the desiredoperations to take place.

In FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive, I have illustrated an apparatus forutilizing a record of photographically produced symbols in a manner toobtain predetermined quantitative responses from photoelectric cells andutilizing such responses in an accounting machine of the kind described.

The photographic images employed in lieu of the magnetic recording areshown in FIG. 4. A method and apparatus for producing such images isdisclosed in my above-identified application. The film section showncarries images for three orders, the numbers selected being in thedirection of film travel 987, 654, 321 and 098. It will be observed thatthe images representing the several digits differ from one another in amanner similar to the wave envelopes representing the magnetic recordingshown in FIG. 2, that is to say, the image for digit 9 is of trapezoidalconfiguration with its leading edge at a small angle to the horizontaland the leading edge of the image for each succeeding lower digit hasits lower edge at an increasingly greater angle. The responses producedin the photo-electric cells are of increasing intensity, the rate ofincrease being proportional to the slant of the leading edge of theimage, as will now be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic showing of the principal parts of a projectorunit required for sensing the data on the film. In general, as shown inFIG. 5, the film F comes from the supply reel 8, around idler pulley '9,under idler pulley 10, over sprocket 11, under idler pulley 12, aroundidler pulley 13, and is wound up on the take up reel 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the right end of sprocket 11 has an integral gearportion which meshes with a gear 16 on the drive shaft which is drivencontinuously. The left end of sprocket 11 has projecting teeth whichengage the perforations in the film on one side only. The film, as itgoes around the sprocket 11, is supported on one side by the sprocket 11and on the other side by a roller 17 which is axially in line withsprocket 11 and the same 5 diameter. The center portion of the film isthus unobstructed and light can be directed through the film as Will belater explained. As the film describes a curved path around sprocket 11and the roller 17, the film is rigid and does not tend to buckle in thecenter.

As the film passes over sprocket 11 (FIG. 5), a point on the film firstpasses the position 14 which corresponds to the upper sensing coil, andlater advances to position 15. This corresponds to the lower sensingcoil station.

Light from a concentrated arc light 18 is condensed into a line of lightacross the film at the position 14 by means of two cylindrical lenses160 and two spherical lenses 170. The position 14 is imaged by theprojection lens 180 on a mask 19 containing a slit 2% through which aportion of the projected image may pass to the photo cell 26 immediatelybehind the mask. The quantity of light thus received by the photocelldepends on the position of the projected image with respect to the slit.See FIG. 6. In this figure the projected image 21 (illuminated) fallsacross the slit 20 and the area 22 represents the light falling on thephotocell beneath the opaque mask 19. It may be seen as the image movesin the direction of the arrow of light falling on the photocell willincrease at a rate which represents the digit value. Similarly the imageon the film in passing point 15 is projected on the mask 23 and thenpasses through the slit 24 and falls on the photocell 25 in the rowcorresponding to the second row of sensing coils above described. Itwill be understood that there are one photocell 26 and one photo cell 25for each column of images on the film.

The specific embodiments of the invention herein described may of coursebe variously modified in carrying out my improved method of operationthe essential features of which are the provision of recordings whichgive different responses by virtue of their inherent character- 6 isticsand not by virtue of their position on the medium carrying therecordings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but includes all suchmodifications thereof as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Data storage means comprising a record medium having a plurality ofdata-representing locations thereon, and a discrete data element at eachof said locations, each of said discrete data elements comprising arecording of fixed length and consisting of a first and a secondportion, said first portion having a detectable characteristic vari ablebetwen a first and a second magnitude at one of a plurality of differentrates, said second portion having a detectable characteristic of saidsecond magnitude and having a predetermined length representative of thevalue assigned to said data element.

2. Data storage means as claimed in claim 1, in which the recording is amagnetic recording in which the intensity of magnetization constitutesthe detectable characteristic.

3. Data storage means as claimed in claim 1, in which the recording isan opaque area in which the detectable characteristic is the width ofthe area.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,224,646 Friedman et a1. Dec. 10, 1940 2,247,905 Bryce July 1, 19412,272,366 Dickinson Feb. 10, 1942 2,362,004 Heidinger Nov. 4, 19442,673,033 Gruver Mar. 23, 1954 2,704,187 Beach et al. Mar. 15, 19552,779,540 Hoeppner Jan. 29, 1957

